Political Buttons - By: Seth Miller

Political success depends on reaching out to the masses. What better way is there to be in the public eye than to feature on buttons – one of the most commonplace, everyday objects? So a century back our political leaders had the brilliant idea of using buttons for their election campaigns. George Washington gets the credit for wearing the first political button in 1789 which read ‘G.W. Long Live the President’ replicating the expression ‘Long live the king’. All his supporters also wore the same clothing button made of brass on his first inauguration. Another landmark in the history of political buttons came when for the first time in 1860 the tintype and ferrotype photo process was used to put Abraham Lincoln’s picture on political buttons during his presidential campaign. It was because of these buttons that people who lived away from the capital could see what the presidential candidate looked like. These buttons were worn around the neck with help of a ribbon. McKinley vs. Bryan campaign in 1896 marked the first use of the campaign buttons as we know them today – metallic with printed picture and slogan and pin at the back.

Political buttons used through the history of American democracy hold a lot of historical significance today – they have become antique. Enthusiasts all over the country collect these buttons. There are several local and national collector-clubs that regularly organize conventions and shows of political buttons. The value of antique political buttons depends on the rarity of the item and the fame of the presidents. One can also find books that provide information like the rarity and prices of political buttons.

Campaign buttons are still used during presidential elections. But these days the use of buttons to express views on political issues has become more common. Buttons have been used to articulate opinions on various issues like women’s liberation, prohibition, political scandals and war.

Man has time and again come up with different forms of expression - pictures, words and fashion being the important ones. The use of buttons sort of combines all three. The political buttons that we use today will become the memorabilia of tomorrow. One could say that political buttons capture the essence of our times.

Political success depends on reaching out to the masses. What better way is there to be in the public eye than to feature on buttons – one of the most commonplace, everyday objects? So a century back our political leaders had the brilliant idea of using buttons for their election campaigns.

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